Massachusetts Pain Initiative

Our Purpose

We are focused on improving the quality of life for people suffering from pain though focus on . . .

Knowledge • Education • Policy

Our Major Initiatives

Save the Date for our Annual Symposium!

We are excited to return to an in-person event at the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences in Worcester, MA on October 26th, 2023.

The program will run from 8:30AM to approximately 3:30PM, with continental breakfast and lunch included.

Continuing education credits will be offered.

Please stay tuned for details as we will be updating information and releasing registration information soon.

Thank you!

The Massachusetts Pain Initiative would like to say THANK YOU to Kathy Della Penna, our long-time administrative assistant and volunteer Treasurer! Kathy worked tirelessly for Mass PI for over 10 years, helping make it the organization that it is today. She was fastidious as our treasurer and made sure our finances were always in order! She worked closely with the Steering Council, and other groups in Mass PI to help set up education seminars and events, even while she was going through grad school! Thank you Kathy! You were instrumental in making Mass PI more than just a dream of like-minded people, and educating providers and patients about pain. May you find happiness and success in all future endeavors! While you will be missed, you will always have a home here with Mass PI!

In Memoriam - Cyndie Rodman

It is with great sadness that we announce the sudden passing of Cyndie Rodman, MS, who has been a vital part of the Massachusetts Pain Initiative since 2008. Cyndie was involved with the MassPI steering council, and was Chair of the Communications Council, as well as our Webmaster. She was a wonderful person, a great friend, and dedicated to helping people with pain throughout her lifetime. Cyndie's contributions to MassPI have been immeasurable. She worked diligently to make as much of an impact to MassPI up until her last day. Our conference this October is dedicated in her memory, and we will present the new logo and the updated website that she brought about. Cyndie will be missed greatly.

Policy Advocacy

  • Identify policies that limit the delivery of effective and necessary pain care to patients and hinder their healthcare providers
  • Work with state and federal policy makers to provide important information and perspective from healthcare providers and pain patients
  • Work with key policy makers to sponsor or support expert commissions, legislation, regulations, and improvements to access and insurance coverage for appropriate pain care

Communication of Pain Knowledge & New Information

  • Provide updated pain knowledge and information through various types of communications 
  • Support the delivery of pain knowledge through our professional education and policy initiatives

News Updates

Important perspectives from two experienced pain physicians.

One article represents the formal CDC comments about the new draft guidelines; the other reflects on the harm of under treatment of serious pain.

Summary of the key changes in the new proposed CDC Opioid Prescribing Guideline

Article summarizing what has and has not changed in the proposed versus the original 2016 guideline

CDC releases its draft of new pain guidelines, including the use of opioids

The draft guidelines are open for public comments until April 11, 2022 with final guidelines expected in late 2022.

MassPI supports a bill to improve access to non-opioid pain treatments for chronic pain patients.

MassPI advocates for legislation to remove non-opioid barriers to pain management.

Key Links

  • CDC Draft Opioid Prescribing Guideline 2022
  • HHS Pain Mgmt. Best Practices 2019
  • MGH Pain Relief Connection (Archived Collection)
  • Pain Symposium Registration (coming this summer)

Join Us

  • WHAT YOU CAN DO — Make a Difference with your knowledge, skills, and experience
  • WHAT YOU GET — Rewarding Experience
  • START BY SIGNING UP — Receive updates on major news, events, or new policy developments
  • TELL US ABOUT YOUR INTERESTS - Mass PI and pain sufferers need you!